A Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) is a credential that is recommended for heath or regulatory professionals that want to enhance their knowledge and improve their qualifications.
This certification will set you apart from your peers with the same education and professional exposure.
This post will provide details on what a Regulatory Affairs Certification is, why healthcare and regulatory professionals should vie for it, and the requirements for getting it.
Finally, it will go through how to get a Regulatory Affairs Certification.
What is a Regulatory Affairs Certification?
The Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) is a qualification meant for people currently in a regulatory career field. The Regulatory Affairs Professional Society offers this credential.
Professionals who take these certification classes acquire an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical and medical device policies vital for delivering effective health services in medical environments.
An individual must pass two regulatory exams to receive a Regulatory Affairs Certification.
The first, RAC Drugs, is about pharmaceutical advancements, governmental grants, guidelines, and laws. The second, RAC Devices, focus on the advancement of medical devices.
Requirement for the Regulatory Affairs Certification
The requirements for obtaining the Regulatory Affairs Certification include the following;
- A bachelor’s degree and not less than three years of regulatory experience
- A master’s degree and not less than two years of regulatory experience
- A doctorate and not less than one year of regulatory experience
Top Reasons to Obtain the Regulatory Affairs Certification
Here are some of the most compelling reasons why you should obtain the Regulatory Affairs Certification:
1. Enhances your salary potential
Getting a Regulatory Affairs Certification can directly lead to an increase in your salary by the company you work for.
Most companies do this as a way to recognize the efforts that you took to acquire more knowledge as a professional.
2. Sets you apart from others
Obtaining a Regulatory Affairs Certification is a big boost to your resume. It can help you to land a job in the regulatory industry even if your educational background is not built for this field.
Also, if you are vying for a job and all the candidates have the same level of education and professional experience as you, being the only one with a Regulatory Affairs Certification can distinguish you from others.
3. Demonstrates regulatory knowledge
A Regulatory Affairs Certification proves you have regulatory knowledge, essential for many of the best-paying jobs.
4. Facilitates career advancement
Suppose you are thinking of switching your present career to a much more lucrative one or want to take your career to a higher level; a Regulatory Affairs Certification will enable you to achieve that.
How to Get a Regulatory Affairs Certification
You can obtain a Regulatory Affairs Certification by following the steps below:
1. Earn a college degree
Obtaining a college degree such as an undergraduate, master’s, or doctorate can assist you in becoming knowledgeable on issues about health regulations.
However, it would be best if you considered your professional goals before choosing a degree.
Degrees in any of the following fields are best for those that want to get a Regulatory Affairs Certification; clinical research management, regulatory science, and regulatory affairs.
2. Obtain relevant experience
Acquiring relevant experience in regulatory practices or related fields will enable you to understand medical devices and pharmaceutical codes of good practice.
Some jobs that will facilitate this include; compliance specialist, medical records specialist, compliance manager, regulatory affairs analyst, and regulatory compliance auditor.
3. Assess your level of exam preparedness
The Regulatory Affairs Certification exams are of two types and have four separate credentialing regions. Most people take the exam according to their region of employment.
The four regions of the Regulatory Affairs Certification are Canada, the United States, the European Union, and a combination of any of these regions.
However, assessing your preparedness for the exam before taking it is necessary.
To adequately prepare for the Regulatory Affairs Certification, use mock exam questions to practice. They will help you to pinpoint areas where you have to improve upon.
4. Be ready for the exam
Making time to study the exam syllabus is an ideal way to prepare for the Regulatory Affairs Certification exam.
The exam consists of 100 questions that assess how much you know about pharmaceutical devices and drugs.
Some of the topics the exam covers include; Biologics and biotechnology products, Federal Drug Association (FDA) regulations, and product development and lifecycle requirements for medical devices.
5. Take the RAC examination
You can choose between the online or physical testing pattern for the RAC examination. The registration fee for this exam is between $400 and $600.
The Regulatory Affairs Certification holds three times a year; spring, summer, and fall.
You can always check the internet for more information about each exam window so you know which to register for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Regulatory Affairs Certification
The RAC certificate is a highly-rated professional credential that is recommended for regulatory professionals in the healthcare sector. Â
To obtain a RAC, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree and up to three years of regulatory experience.
The RAC credential is valid for only three years, after which you must apply for recertification to continue using it.
Conclusion
If you work in the health care or regulatory industries and want to further your career, you might consider earning a Regulatory Affairs Certification.
This credential will help you stand out from candidates with similar experience and training.
This article does a fantastic job of outlining the processes involved in earning a Regulatory Affairs Credential.
Besides earning a certification, another excellent way to develop your career is to further your education by earning a graduate degree.
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